ENAP Conference Reunites Friends of Amity
From 29 May to 11 June 2023, a delegation of core members of the Amity Foundation embarked on a 14-day-tour of Europe, visiting many partner organizations across the continent for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Led by Board Chair Qiu Zhonghui and Secretary-General Ling Chunxiang, Amity’s delegation held the European Network of Amity Partners (ENAP) Conference in Helsinki, which was graciously hosted by the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (Felm). Representatives from 11 long-time Amity partners across 5 countries attended the conference, during which Amity shared its development and diakonia work. In turn, the members of ENAP outlined their work and discussed the changes in the landscape of humanitarian work in their respective countries over the past 3 years.
The offline conference offered the opportunity for Amity to thank the members of ENAP in person for their support and recognition during the trying times of yesteryear. Mr. Qiu expressed his hopes that the event will set a new stage of development for the Foundation’s future collaborations with its European partners, calling for more diverse international projects and regular exchange of ideas, information and experiences in the field going forward.
Following the conference, Amity’s delegation went on to visit key partner organizations in Switzerland and Germany, holding meetings with leaders of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Lutheran World Federation (LWF), International Council for Voluntary Agencies ICVA). In Germany, apart from visiting Protestant Agency for Diakonie and Development (EWDE), Amity also visited Bavarian YWCA. Amity‘s visit to Europe coincided with The Church Day (Kirchentag) convention, where Amity representatives met with a great number of partner organization representatives and participated in a series of Kirchentag activities. The trip has reconnected Amity with many partner organizations and churches, keeping the torch of goodwill aflame for many years to come.
[Established in 1987, the European Network of Amity Partners (ENAP) is one of the earliest international partner networks of the Amity Foundation. Over the years, this network of social organizations has provided invaluable support to Amity’s projects and developments in the field of Chinese social work. ENAP continuous to play an active role in organizing exchanges and promoting world peace and development under the principle of Love in Action.]
